COLORED EMBOSSING

I know I've said something to this effect before, but I really REALLY had no intention whatsoever of spending $50 to get this embossing folder. REALLY!

However, as so often happens, I started seeing what other Demonstrators were posting on social media using this embossing folder. And once again, all this enabling worked. So, of course, I made  my last $50 purchase of Sale-A-Bration -- just to get this beautiful highly dimensional folder.

With this type of embossing folder, if you lightly spritz both sides of the cardstock with water before sending it through the Big Shot, you get an even bigger bang for your buck -- way more dimension and texture. You see, adding a bit of water softens the fibers in the cardstock, making them more malleable and ensuring more goodness.

The embossing that comes as a result of using this folder with colored cardstock is impressive enough in and of itself. But, I'd been seeing cards where the creators had softly colored in some of the flowers in the background. So, for my April Stamp-In Workshop, something along those lines is just what I came up with for one of my projects.

Don't you just adore the texture in this card??

Only having drooled over the photos I'd seen of cards colored like this and not paying any attention to how it was done, I just decided to do it my own way: with Sponge Daubers! Easy, mess-free and nicely controlled. You can make the flowers as light or as dark as you want so simply.

At my workshop, a couple of the girls colored every single bit of texture, including the raised dots. That looked equally lovely. See, this technique is so versatile, it is easy to make it clearly your own.

Following are the supplies and instructions on how to do a card similar to this on your own. Of course, if you were lucky enough to score this particular folder during Sale-A-Bration, you're all set. Otherwise, there are lots of deeply textured embossing folders you can try for the same effect.

SUPPLIES:

Whisper White cardstock

Pear Pizzazz cardstock

Daffodil Delight cardstock

Balmy Blue ink

Crushed Curry ink

Pear Pizzazz ink

Calypso Coral ink

Happy Easter stamp

Big Shot

Layering Circles Framelits (page 219)

Sponge Daubers

Sale-A-Bration embossing folder 

Calypso Coral 3/8" Satin Ribbon (page 25, Occasions Catalog)

Stampin' Dimensionals

INSTRUCTIONS:

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Pear Pizzazz cardstock in half, creasing it well with a bone folder.

Spritz a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Whisper White cardstock lightly with water on both sides. Run the damp paper through the Big Shot inside the embossing folder. Set it aside until it is completely dry.

While it is drying, stamp "Happy Easter" or sentiment of choice onto a 2 1/8" circle of Whisper White cardstock in Calypso Coral ink. Center this onto a scalloped circle created from Daffodil Delight cardstock. Fold a piece of Calypso Coral 3/8" Satin Ribbon in half, taping the folded end at an angle to the back of the sentiment circle. Trim the ends of the ribbon as necessary.

By now, the embossed cardstock should be dry. Using Sponge Daubers, lightly tap ink onto the various flowers and leaves. You can make this as light or as dark as you want. I like the more soft, subtle look. Personal preference.

Add the colored piece to the green card base.

With two Stampin' Dimensionals, add the sentiment to the card.

Textured

Smiles.